Spied: VF Commodore

Holden is set to reduce the number of model variants for its crucial new VF Commodore that goes on sale in 2013.

Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux has hinted at a slimmed down line-up with less emphasis on the bottom end of the range, which was typically targeted at fleets.

“You guys probably know what you would do if you were in our shoes, just in terms of cleaning up the range and we will do some of that as we launch the car,” Devereux said.

He dismissed the notion that the move would be driven to save money.

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“Cost-wise, different variants isn’t a massive cost reduction, likely we will do some reworking of our model range for VF but it won’t be for cost reasons,” he said.

Having already spent several hours driving the new VF Commodore at Holden’s Lang Lang proving grounds Devereux is confident that the VF will set a new standard in terms of quality and driving experience.

“It is a significant upgrade,” he said. “The car moves in textiles and materials … significantly upmarket. It is a very different feeling car to drive, which is wonderful. The upgrades are significant, it moves extremely upscale in its feel.

“The car feels a lot nimbler on its feet and the fuel economy numbers are great – world class. The car feels quite different; it’s still a great driver’s car.”

At launch the MyLink system will be compatible with four apps - Pandora, Stitcher and Tune-In (which are internet radio apps) and BrinGo Nav.

He indicated that the range would be biased towards the high-performance SV6 and SS models that remain the stronger sales performers with people wanting a sporty look.

“I think if you look at the retail sales of Commodore over the last 10 years ... what has been interesting to note over that time period has been the steadiness and then the increasing sales at retail of the sports model,” he said.

“The stability of that volume is what gives us great hope for that segment.”

He also hopes a simpler model range will also improve build quality.

“The fewer things the folks have to build the generally easier it is to build cars,” he said. “And we would be in deep trouble if we didn’t have such a good workforce in Adelaide because it is one of the more complex assembly operations we have in GM with so many different variants coming down the line.

71 comments so far

Oh dear... why is that I'm made to feel a little queasy when I hear of my tax dollars being spent on a "bias towards the high-performance SV6 and SS models"?

Can I suggest that any future transfer of wealth from taxpayers to Holden be made only in exchange for equity? We should have some say in how this money is being spent and whether it is in the nation's interests to be subsiding the production of V8s for those who dwell on the periphery of our cities.

Commenter

Verbal Kint

Location

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 11:26AM

Yes, shame on Holden for giving priority to the non-poverty pack non-fleet models in their range that are the best (or least worst sellers). You wouldn't do that if it was your business, would you?

Government equity in Holden, great idea seeing how our elected representatives manage their own projects so well. And I'd suggest that you will have a pretty decent say come next elections.

Your precious tax dollars do not "subsidise the production of V8s", they pay a small part of the development cost - particularly the fuel economy gains that Holden will no doubt trumpet ad nauseum soonish,

Commenter

Andy Evans

Location

Little River

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 12:26PM

Holden do not produce any V8, and have not done so for over a decade. The powerful and surprisingly efficient 6.2L V8 is cheaper for Holden to buy than the 3.0L V6 used in the entry level commodore is to produce. This is a common sense move by Holden and will enable lower priced sporty models which people want to buy

Commenter

Mick

Location

Mornington

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 12:49PM

I disagree - i think our tax payer dollars should be spent on the profit maximising outcome - which is sport models and exports, which is what they are sensibly doing - otherwise holden will become completely reliant on subsidies and will either be closed down or need to be nationalised ,in the long term.

Commenter

Jaywa

Location

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 12:58PM

I note you've never asked that question of Toyota even though that dreadful Aurion is made by them which incidentally will easily out pace the SV6 in a straight line up to about 100km, however at the first sign of a corner or a damp road it becomes a limp wristed lump. But hey the stupid foot operated parking brake works a treat if the driver accidentally applies it at speed...

Commenter

RS3200

Location

Newcastle

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 12:59PM

As was stated by someone yesterday, why is small business ignored and yet this corporation is given 90 million $ in annual handouts?

# Small business is where the jobs are.

If gm is tight then gm can stop paying annual dividends to shareholders.

I will encourage my friends to purchase foreign made cars instead of backing this ongoing union corruption.

Commenter

Alex

Location

Finley

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 1:35PM

You are spot on RS3000, this poor soul who does nothing but haunt these pages looking for stories to moan about goes missing when a Toyota subsidy article is written. If the thousands of dollars worth of tax I pay goes some small way towards making a V8, thats Ok with me.

Commenter

Rex

Location

Newc

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 2:02PM

Hmmmm. I feel kinda queasy when my taxpayer dollars subsidise the diesel used by mining companies! Lets see if these overseas mining companies want "share for discount" deal also.

Commenter

PAYE

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 2:28PM

@Mick.......if the 6.2L v8 is cheaper than the 3.0 v6 for holden, why do they charge a premium for the v8 models again?

Commenter

Mike

Location

Sydney

Date and time

November 28, 2012, 3:02PM

I tell you what, if my tax dollars go towards building V8 falcons or commodores great, it gets wasted on alot worse things.